Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Pittsburgh – Joel Hanrahan allowed one hit and struck out two Tuesday to earn his first save of the year. He’s had a very good season, and for the time being is the favorite to earn the bulk of the save chances for the Pirates – not that they tend to have too many.

Baltimore – Mike Gonzalez pitched an excellent 1.2 innings and almost got himself a save, but was pulled for some reason by Buck Showalter with two outs and nobody on in the ninth inning with the Orioles leading by three. Alfredo Simon recorded the final out. Showalter’s words: “Believe me, I know the save rule and, quite frankly, it doesn’t carry much weight with me,” Showalter said. “I like the win rule a little bit better.” Make of that what you will.

Key Matchups - Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Tim Lincecum v. Braves – The one good thing these Braves have going for them against Tiny Tim is a semi-respectable batting average -- .261. Unfortunately for them, Lincecum has a 30:4 K:BB rate against them, which limits them to a mere .289 OBP, and their slugging percentage isn’t much better – just .391. There’s a reason he’s 6-1 against Atlanta in his career.

Chad Billingsley v. Padres – Billingsley’s had an up-and-down year, but it’s been all up against the Padres – 13.1 scoreless innings with just seven hits allowed, including six shutout July 27. The current Padres hitters have a rather poor .229/.318/.346 line against Billingsley, who will look to extend his 21.2 inning scoreless streak.

Tommy Hunter v. Mariners – Hunter has allowed just four extra-base hits to Seattle in their 86 at-bats against him, and as a result, the M’s actually have a lower slugging percentage than on-base percentage off him. Their miserable .622 OPS off him won’t be helped any by the pitcher-friendly confines of Safeco. Hunter allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings against the Mariners June 10.

Josh Tomlin, SP, Indians – Tomlin wasn’t a top prospect for Cleveland, but that doesn’t mean there’s not value to be found now that he’s in the majors. At 25, he’s slightly old to be breaking in, but he put together a 2.68 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in Triple-A this year, and he’s had two solid turns so far as a big leaguer, holding the Yankees’ and Blue Jays’ powerful lineups to just one run each. The upside here is Tommy Hunter-esque – nice help in ERA and WHIP, but not too many strikeouts. And because he’s in Cleveland, not too many wins either.